Method And System For In Row Variable Rate Precision Irrigation

ABSTRACT

An irrigation management system which allows for modulation of the watering gradient along crop rows. The system may include dual drip lines which allow for selection of gradients based upon the time each of the dual lines is active. The system may utilize pressure sensitive valves which select drip lines based upon the inlet feed water pressure. The system may include drip emitters which modify flow rates based upon inlet feed water pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/398,521 to Stephen, filed Jan. 4, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/274,380 to Stephen, filed Jan. 4, 2016,and which also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/394,215 to Stephen, filed Sep. 14, 2016, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an irrigation system and method, and morespecifically to drip irrigation systems with controllable flowgradients.

Description of Related Art

Irrigation systems for domestic crops, commercial landscapes, nurseries,and the like, often utilize irrigation management systems. A typicalmanagement system involves the programming of irrigation schedules, suchthat an entire area to be irrigated is irrigated en masse for aparticular length of time, usually per day.

A time based irrigation management system has enabled irrigation ofcrops, plants, and landscapes to be performed automatically and on aregular schedule, but these systems have a deficiency in that they donot account for seasonal changes and local weather conditions. A basisof this drawback is that any system which is programmed to deliver anyvolume of water above and beyond the minimum amounted required may beconsidered to be wasteful of water resources. Conversely, the underdelivery of water and nutrients can adversely affect production andprofitability.

Water lost to evaporation may be minimized with the implementation ofdrip irrigation systems. In such a system, feeder lines may be used downrows of crops with water emitting devices spaced along the length of thefeeder line. In passive systems, the water distributed along the lengthof the row is determined by the length of time that the feeder line issupplied with water pressure, but the relative distribution along therow remains constant. In some other systems, the water emitting devicesalong the length of the feeder line are actively controlled, such aswith the use of an electrically controlled valve. With such a system,the water distribution may be precisely controlled.

A drawback with the passive system described above is that waterdistribution along the length of the row, relative to positions on thatrow, cannot be modified easily. A drawback with the precisely controlledsystem described above is that such a system is exorbitantly expensive,and also may need significant maintenance.

What is called for is an efficient and low cost system for alteringwater distribution along rows of crops during irrigation, such asirrigation of plant crops.

What is also called for is such a system which lends itself well tobeing retrofitted into existing irrigation systems.

SUMMARY

An irrigation management system which allows for modulation of thewatering gradient along crop rows. The system may include dual driplines which allow for selection of gradients based upon the time each ofthe dual lines is active. The system may utilize pressure sensitivevalves which select drip lines based upon the inlet feed water pressure.The system may include drip emitters which modify flow rates based uponinlet feed water pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a plot of crops grown in rows.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a drip irrigation system for a plot ofcrops grown in rows.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a drip irrigation system for a plot ofcrops grown in rows according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a drip irrigation system for a plot ofcrops grown in rows according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a drip irrigation system for a plot ofcrops grown in rows according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6A-B are a table and graph of a balanced system according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-B are a table and graph of a full gradient system according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A-B are a table and graph of a full counter system according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A-B are a table and graph of a more gradient system according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A-B are a table and graph of a more counter system according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A-B are a table and graph of a center gradient system accordingto some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A-B are a table and graph of an end gradient system according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a plot 101 of land with rows 103 of plants 102. Insome aspects, the plants 102 may produce crops. In some aspects, theplants 102 may be grape vineyards grown in a production vineyard. Theplants 102 may be organized into rows 103. Although discussed primarilywith a focus on perennial crops, such as trees and vines, aspects ofthis invention may also bring considerable improvements to otherirrigated systems, such as row crops and landscaping.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plot 101 of land with rows of plants 102 with anirrigation system. A supply inlet 104, which may commonly be called asub-main, supplies a plurality of row feeds 105. The row feeds 105,which may commonly be called laterals, run down the rows of plants 102.A distribution portion 106 supplies water individually to each plant102. In some aspects, and with some crop types, the distributionportions 106 may be spaced down a row of plants but may not beindividually associated with individual plants. In some aspects, thedistribution portions 106 may be voids along the row feeds 105 whichallow for the emission of water at each point. In some aspects, thedistribution portions 106 may be emitter devices adapted for emission ofwater at each point. In the system as seen in FIG. 2, water is suppliedvia the supply inlet 104 and is branched off into each of the row feeds105. Water running down the row feeds 105 then is distributed to the rowat each distribution point 106. The irrigation is pre-set based uponwater pressure through the supply inlet 104 and the capacities of thesupply inlet 104, the row feeds 105, and the distribution portions 106.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 3, a plotof land 101 with rows of plants has two row feeds per row. A firstsupply inlet 104 feeds a first plurality of row feeds 105, and a secondsupply inlet 107 supplies a second plurality of row feeds 108. The firstplurality of row feeds 105 has a plurality of distribution pointsbeginning with a first distribution point 109 at a first end of the rowfeed 105 and last distribution point 111 at the second end of the rowfeed 105. The second plurality of row feeds 108 has a plurality ofdistribution points beginning with a first distribution point 110 at afirst end of the row feed 108 and a last distribution point 112 at thesecond end of the row feed 108. Although shown on opposite sides of theplants in FIG. 3, the first plurality of row feeds 105 and the secondplurality of row feeds 108 may be directly next to each other. In someaspects, there may be one or more first row feeds 105 and one or moresecond row feeds 108.

The distribution points along the first row feed 105 are adapted todeliver different amounts of water for the same time period while waterflows into the first row feed 105 from the first supply inlet 104. Forexample, along the first row feed 105 the first distribution point 109may deliver a highest amount of water per unit time, and the lastdistribution point 111 may deliver the lowest amount of water per unittime. Similarly, the distribution points along the second row feed 108also adapted to deliver different amounts of water for the same timeperiod while water flows into the second row feed 108 from the secondsupply inlet 107. But in contrast, along the second row feed 108 thefirst distribution point 110 may deliver the lowest amount of water perunit time, and the last distribution point 112 may deliver the highestamount of water per unit time. The reversed distribution gradients ofthe two row feeds allow for significant adaptability for implementing avariety of watering profiles along the row, and within the plot 101.Although illustrated in FIG. 3 as being on opposite sides of the plantsin a row, the row feeds 105, 108 may be on the same side of the plantsin a row.

The gradient along the first row feed seen going down the row, and thecounter gradient along the second row feed, allow for more precisewatering of the plants on the plot of land, which enhances agriculturalsuccess and reduces water use. For example, there may be some sloping onthe plot which affects the water needs by plants at different locationsalong the row. Also, there may be variations in soil type which affectwater availability to the plant. This condition can be addressed by theprecision irrigation systems described herein.

In some aspects, emitters may be used which are not substantiallysensitive to the inlet pressure, within a range. For example, theemitters may be adapted to provide a pre-determined amount of water perunit time, such as 0.5 gallons per hour, 1.0 gallons per hour, or 2.0gallons per hour. The flow rate may be relatively constant at any inletpressure in the range of 10-50 psi, for example. With pressurecompensating emitters which maintain flow rates over a pressure range,as discussed above, the flow rate along the row feed, which may beascending, descending, or of another type along the row feed, may bemaintained even with variations in the inlet pressure. This will allow asystem where flow rates may be maintained at designed for flow rateseven with expected variations in the inlet pressures. Also, whereinthere may be a pressure operated switching valve which switches waterflow from a first supply inlet (feeding first row feeds) to a secondsupply inlet (feeding second row feeds), the change in inlet pressure onthe second supply inlet used to switch the valve may be accommodated bythe pressure compensating emitters such that emitter flow rates are notaffected whether the system is running at a lower or higher inletpressure.

With a system as illustrated in FIG. 3, the amount of time that each ofthe supply inlets are charged relative to each other will then changethe amount of water emitted along the row. For example, if both supplyinlets are charged for an equal amount of time, there may be even andequal water emission along the row. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate thiscase. FIG. 6A is a table demonstrating a row with two row feeds,designated GR (for gradient) and CG (for counter gradient). As seen inFIG. 6A, the first four GR emitters are adapted to emit 2 waterquantities per unit time (for example, 2 gallons per hour), and thenthey are reduced as one moves further down the row. The CG row feed, incontrast, has the water quantities per unit time reversed relative tothe GR row feed. In some embodiments, the total water quantity per unittime of the two distribution portions at the same spot along the rowadds up to the same amount, although different gradient approaches couldbe implemented. As seen in the irrigation selection of FIGS. 6A and 6B,both row feeds are running for two hours, and each spot along the row(serviced by both a GR and a CG distribution portion) receives 4 gallonsof water.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a full gradient case wherein the row feedsare adapted with emitters identical to those seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B,but the operational situation is different. The GR emitters are operatedfor 4 hours, and the CG emitters are not operated. The water receivedalong the row is seen if FIG. 7B, and varies from 8 gallons at the firstend to 0 gallons at the second end.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a full counter gradient case wherein the rowfeeds are adapted with emitters identical to those seen in FIGS. 6A and6B, but the operational situation is different. The CG emitters areoperated for 4 hours, and the GR emitters are not operated. The waterreceived along the row is seen if FIG. 8B, and varies from 0 gallons atthe first end to 8 gallons at the second end.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an enhanced gradient case wherein the rowfeeds are adapted with emitters identical to those seen in FIGS. 6A and6B, but the operational situation is different. The GR emitters areoperated for 3 hours, and the CG emitters are operated for one hour. Thewater received along the row is seen if FIG. 9B, and varies from 6gallons at the first end to 2 gallons at the second end.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an enhanced counter gradient case whereinthe row feeds are adapted with emitters identical to those seen in FIGS.6A and 6B, but the operational situation is different. The GR emittersare operated for 1 hour, and the CG emitters are operated for 3 hours.The water received along the row is seen if FIG. 10B, and varies from 2gallons at the first end to 6 gallons at the second end.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a center gradient case wherein the rowfeeds are adapted with emitters different from those seen in FIGS. 6Aand 6B, and instead have one row feed accented towards the middle of therow, and a second row feed accented towards the end of the row. The GRemitters are operated for 1 hour, and the CG emitters are operated for 3hours. The water received along the row is seen if FIG. 11B, and variesfrom 2 gallons at the ends to 6 gallons at the middle of the row.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a center gradient case wherein the rowfeeds are adapted with emitters different from those seen in FIGS. 6Aand 6B, and instead have one row feed accented towards the middle of therow, and a second row feed accented towards the end of the row, the sameas seen in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The GR emitters are operated for 3 hours,and the CG emitters are operated for 1 hour. The water received alongthe row is seen if FIG. 12B, and varies from 2 gallons at the middles ofthe row to 6 gallons at the ends of the row.

As seen if FIGS. 6-12, according to some aspects of the presentinvention, a significant variety of watering gradients can be achievedwithout control of individual emitters.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 4, a plot101 of land with rows of plants 102 is seen with a single supply inlet115. The supply inlet 115 provides water to each of the rows. Each ofthe rows may have a first row feed 117 and a second row feed 118. Thefirst plurality of row feeds 117 has a plurality of distribution pointsbeginning with a first distribution point 119 at a first end of the rowfeed 117 and last distribution point 120 at the second end of the rowfeed 117. The second plurality of row feeds 118 has a plurality ofdistribution points beginning with a first distribution point 121 at afirst end of the row feed 118 and a last distribution point 122 at thesecond end of the row feed 118.

The distribution points along the first row feed 117 are adapted todeliver different amounts of water for the same time period while waterflows into the first row feed 117. For example, along the first row feed117 the first distribution point 119 may deliver a highest amount ofwater per unit time, and the last distribution point 120 may deliver thelowest amount of water per unit time. Similarly, the distribution pointsalong the second row feed 118 also adapted to deliver different amountsof water for the same time period while water flows into the second rowfeed 118. But in contrast, along the second row feed 118 the firstdistribution point 121 may deliver the lowest amount of water per unittime, and the last distribution point 122 may deliver the highest amountof water per unit time. The reversed flow gradients of the two row feedsallow for significant adaptability for implementing a variety ofwatering profiles along the row, and within the plot 101.

A switching valve 116 is adapted to direct water from the supply inlet115 into the first row feed 117 and the second row feed 118. In someaspects, the switching valve supplies water to only a single row feed ata time, or to no row feed. In some aspects, the switching valve isadapted to supply water to one of the row feeds at any time the supplyinlet 115 is pressurized. In some aspects, the switching valves 116 areadapted to switching valve supplies water to one or both of the rowfeeds. The switching valve 116 may be a pressure controlled switchingvalve such that when the supply inlet 115 is pressurized at a firstpressure, for example a lower pressure, the water is directed to thefirst plurality of row feeds 117. When the supply inlet is pressurizedat a second pressure, for example at a higher pressure, the water isdirected to the second plurality of row feeds 118. This system allowsfor the use of a single supply inlet. System design may allow forselecting a water flow rate that takes into account the pressure used tosupply the particular row feed, as well as pressure losses along rowfeeds, and taking these factors into account in the emitter design.

In some aspects, an irrigation system may be retrofitted to include aplurality of pressure controlled switching valves and first and secondrow feeds, allowing for the multitude of gradients discussed above,while maintaining the system's original main and sub-main feeds.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen if FIG. 5, a plot101 of land with row crops uses a single supply inlet 130. One or more,or a plurality of row feeds 131 supply water along the row. A firstdistribution point 132 at a first end of the row feed 131 may be adaptedto provide a first amount of water per unit time in a first condition,such as at a first water supply pressure, and may include a pressurevalve such that the first distribution point 132 provides a secondamount of water per unit time at a second water supply pressure.Similarly, the last distribution point 133 at a second end of the rowfeed 131 may provide different amounts of water depending upon the inletpressure. The valved distribution points may provide gradients as seenin FIGS. 6-12.

In some aspects, a system according to embodiments of the presentinvention may offer different resolution with regard to water deliverygradients. For example, in a field with regular features, such as a flatfield, a lower resolution system may be appropriate. In othersituations, a higher resolution system may be appropriate. For example,in a 20 row field each row may have two row feeds, but a single valve,or set of valves, may switch all 200 rows from being watered with afirst set of row feeds to a second set of row feeds. In this example,all 20 rows would have their watering, and gradients, be the same. Thiswould be the lowest level of resolution for this field. In a moreresolute case, the first 10 rows of the 20 row field could besimultaneously controlled, as well as the second 10 rows. In this case,the gradient for the first 10 rows could be set differently than thesecond 10 rows. This would be a middle level of resolution. In a furtherexample, each of the 20 rows could be switched individually from thefirst set of row feeds to the second set of row feeds, allowing thegradient on each row to be individually controlled. This would be a highresolution example.

A method for varying the rate of irrigation along a row of plants, whichincludes the steps of varying the rate of irrigation along the row byswitching from a first set of row feeds to a second set of row feeds.The first set of row feeds may emit water along the row in a firstfashion, such as increasing the amount of water per unit time along thelength of the row by using emitters which emit more water per unit timealong the length of the row. The second set of row feeds may emit wateralong the row in a descending amount of water per unit time along thelength of the row. An irrigation gradient may be induced by varying thelength of time the different row feeds are pressurized with water. Othertypes of gradients may be induced, as discussed above, including endheavy or center gradients. In some aspects, switching from one row feedto the other may be done with mechanical switching. In some aspects,switching from one feed to the other may be done with a pressure switchvalve. In some aspects, the emitters themselves may switch from a firstwater delivery amount to another in response to an inlet pressurechange.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for varying the rate of irrigation alongone or more rows of plants, said method comprising the steps of:pressurizing a first supply inlet conduit for a first amount of time,said first supply inlet conduit coupled to one or more first row feeds;pressurizing a second supply inlet conduit for a second amount of time,said second supply inlet conduit coupled to one or more second rowfeeds; wherein a first row feed and a second row feed formed pair rowfeeds that extend alongside and are adjacent to each other and areadapted to irrigate the same row, and wherein each of said first rowfeeds has a first end and a second end, said first ends of said firstrow feeds coupled to said first supply inlet conduit, wherein said firstrow feeds comprise water emitting portions which emit a first set ofdiffering amounts of water along the length of said first row feeds; andwherein each of said second row feeds has a first end and a second end,said first end of said second row feeds coupled to said second supplyinlet conduit, wherein said second row feeds comprise water emittingportions which emit a second set of differing amounts of water along thelength of said second row feeds; and wherein the amount of water emittedalong the length of a row relative to other positions along the row maybe altered by varying the length of time each of the supply inletconduits is pressurized with water.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid first row feeds emit a descending amount of water volume per unittime along the direction from said first end of said first row feedtowards said second end of said first row feed, and wherein said secondrow feeds emit an ascending amount of water volume per unit time alongthe direction from said first end of said second row feed towards saidsecond end of said second row feed.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid first row feeds emit an ascending amount of water volume per unittime along the direction from said first end of said first row feedtowards a middle of said first row feed and then a descending amount ofwater volume per unit time along the direction from the middle of saidfirst row feed towards said second end of said first row feed, andwherein said second row feeds emit a descending amount of water volumeper unit time along the direction from said first end of said second rowfeed towards a middle of said second row feed, and wherein said secondrow feed emits an ascending amount of water per unit time along thedirection from the middle of said second row feed towards said secondend of said second row feed.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said wateremitting portions are pressure compensating emitters adapted to providea fixed flow rate over a range of water pressures.
 5. The method ofclaim 2 wherein said water emitting portions are pressure compensatingemitters adapted to provide a fixed flow rate over a range of waterpressures.
 6. The method of claim 3 wherein said water emitting portionsare pressure compensating emitters adapted to provide a fixed flow rateover a range of water pressures.